Badgers football chat with Jeff Potrykus

Monday, Oct. 9 transcript

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

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Hey Jeff-Have missed the chats, but love all of the coverage! I find it really interesting this season that Ramesh and Ingold have seen such limited action (that is my perception). Obviously Taylor is doing incredibly well, but was there a philosophical change this season as far as how to use the fullback position? Thanks Jeff

by doug g10/10/2017 12:01:23 AM

OK, let's dive right in. Taylor's emergence really has little to do with use of the FBs. They have three TEs they really like and the HC loves using multiple TE sets. That's what we've seen this season, at least to this point. You saw more FBs when Fumagalli sat out vs Northwestern.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:02:48 AM

Enjoyed your coverage of the Badger game Saturday night here in Omaha. Wondering if their is a quarterback on the roster to replace Hornibrook who seems to be only a very poor man’s game manager?

Hi Jeff, thanks for the chats again this season. As the Badgers season moves into the secomd half (bascially), what would you say is the biggest surprise about this team (good or bad), if any?

by Flair Fan 7710/10/2017 12:04:45 AM

Not sure I'd label this a surprise, but I'll see the emergence of the young wide receivers. That was one question mark entering the season and the answers thus far have been pretty solid.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:05:41 AM

Assuming the Badgers win out and beat PSU or OSU for the BIG, will two quality wins get them a playoff berth?

by Nazman10/10/2017 12:05:45 AM

Way too early. First CFP rankings come out at the end of the month (31st). If UW is still unbeaten then you have to see where they're ranked, which teams are in front of them and then look at potential matchups the rest of the way.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:07:28 AM

Jeff- Huge road win for Badgers. What happened in second half that our beat up O line was able to move the ball and Defense also became so dominant?

by J Bucky10/10/2017 12:07:33 AM

Two factors. NEB couldn't sustain possessions vs. UW D so the NEB D had to go back out more often. NEB had some guys nicked up and the D just wore down. I didn't see guys quit, which I have in past NEB defenses. But their guys just got wore down physically and mentally. Even Riley on the sideline had bad body language.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:09:47 AM

Jeff: I missed your Chat. Even though UW has had excellent offensive linemen for what seems like the past 25 years, they have had trouble recruiting the so called elite out- of- state linemen. I do not remember the last time that UW grabbed a highly recruited left tackle. Why do you think that is? Thanks.

by Andy Shovers10/10/2017 12:10:01 AM

I've never pondered that question and I guess I'm not sure why it matters. First, how often have they needed to go out of state to recruit such a player? Plus, if you have really good OL in the state and you start overlooking them to recruit kids from out of state and you miss...Well, you know what happens then. Second, kids generally -- generally -- stay close to home.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:14:13 AM

Hornibrook makes up for his limited arm strength with accuracy and anticipating when his receivers will be making cuts so that the ball arrives before defenders can break on the ball. BYU game is a perfect example of that. But when plays break down and the pocket collapses, I hold my breath because his limited arm strength doesn't allow him to rifle throws into receivers when his feet aren't set. He's not an out of the pocket QB who can scramble and make throws on the run. Given those limitations, can Wisconsin compete with the elite teams this year? Elite teams are going to get to the QB and force him out of the pocket. And you won't be able to run the ball 22 straight times against an elite team.

by Pete10/10/2017 12:14:35 AM

I don't know how well UW would line up with Bama or Clemson or Georgia or the other teams ranked higher in the polls. Haven't seen most of those teams. But I'm guessing if UW did lose such a matchup, it wouldn't come down to one position.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:16:13 AM

How much confidence does Chryst have in Hornibrook? After the Pick six, the QB only threw two passes the rest of the night. When the Badgers needed to make plays in crunch time, the coach took the ball out of his QB's hands.

by Pete10/10/2017 12:16:20 AM

He took the ball out of his hands in crunch time? On the go-ahead drive -- 10 plays, 93 yards -- UW faced two critical third-down plays. First was third and 4 from UW 45 and second was third and goal from 5. Chryst put the ball in the QB's hands on both and he delivered strikes to Cephus both times -- for 31 yards and for 5 yards and a TD. So you tell me whether the HC has confidence in the QB in crunch time.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:19:32 AM

Jeff…the talent and athleticism of the young wide receivers (Cephus, Davis, Pryor, Taylor, et al), appears to be significantly above what UW has had in quite some time. In fact, in the past it seems UW would have one and only one real receiving threat, whereas now there are multiple threats. Do you think that’s true, or does it just seem that way considering the TEs and WRs as a group are better? Thank you!

by Todd10/10/2017 12:21:28 AM

There are more weapons from which to choose. Here is what I wrote about that issue.

Milwaukee Journal SentinelUW senior wide receiver Jazz Peavy anticipated that with more players capable of contributing this season his numbers might suffer.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:22:08 AM

Knowing Bielema, Andersen and Aranda like you do from covering the team, do you think any of them have regrets about leaving Wisconsin? I know they will never say that. But Bielema lost 48-22 to South Carolina and Paul Finebaum called the Arkansas program a "dumpster fire." Anderson lost 38-10 to USC and is now 1-5 in year 3 at Oregon State. And LSU lost two weeks ago to Troy and things look dicey there as well. I know they are all getting paid very well so they'll be fine. But as competitors who like to win, seems like they jumped the gun in taking jobs that were not as good as the one they already had.

by Pete10/10/2017 12:22:17 AM

Regrets? Doubtful.

Bielema has more money than he'll ever need. He didn't feel completely appreciated in Madison so he looked for change. Andersen realized this wasn't the fit he thought and did the right thing by moving on.

Aranda was given a professional/financial opportunity too good to pass up -- at a tradition-rich program. If Dave has any regrets, they might be if his family isn't as happy. They loved it here.

As far as taking jobs not as good as the ones they left, Chryst had a damn good gig at UW when he left in 2012. Pitt wasn't exactly a sleeping giant at the time. It was a train wreck because of coaching changes.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:26:12 AM

Hi Jeff -- Glad to see Cephus and Davis doing well at WR. Why has Peavy been so MIA in the last few games, though?

Milwaukee Journal SentinelUW senior wide receiver Jazz Peavy anticipated that with more players capable of contributing this season his numbers might suffer.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:26:47 AM

Hi Jeff -- In Jonathan Taylor's post-game interview, he was asked why he thinks he's been so successful. Three times, he mentioned the importance of "knowing the run-fits". I had never heard this term before ... had to Google it. If I understand it correctly, does it mean "predicting where the blockers and defenders will go, and where the hole will develop, before it actually develops?" If I am more or less correct on that, in your opinion, what makes Jonathan more effective than the other running backs? All the backs are big, strong, hard runners, but it's this vision that seems to give him the edge over his teammates. He seems to have the best ability to see the plays develop, make cuts, and make the most out of what he is given by the blocking ... he seems to see this quicker than the other backs ... and boy once he's through that hole, he's gone! Is this it, or are there other factors?

by Jeff10/10/2017 12:27:33 AM

I wasn't there for the totality of JT's comments but the running game is like a puzzle. The blockers -- linemen, TEs, FBs -- have to be on their targets. They can't fall off blocks or only get a small piece of the defender they're assigned to block. The backs have tracks where the run is designed to go. The back can't run up the back of a blocker. Has to be patient to let blocking develop and also follow the track if he can. Taylor generally does a nice job of letting blocking develop, seeing it, making decisive cuts and then accelerating. And he is about 215 pounds so he doesn't go down if a defender breathes hard.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:30:51 AM

At this stage in his development, do you think Hornibrook is capable of finding consistency mid season? Or are we going to be riding this roller coaster into December?

by Vermont Badger10/10/2017 12:30:58 AM

I believe a QB who is leading the Big Ten in passing efficiency has the potential to play well by midseason.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:31:53 AM

Hey Jeff, hope you're digging these Badgers. Biggest surprise/question/disappointment of the season has to be Jazz Peavey's disappearance. I think you wrote a nice puff piece about him leading the WRs this year, so how do you explain zero production thru 5 games? Was it lack of preparation? Not in it mentally? Do you think he'll make an impact this year?

by LA Dan10/10/2017 12:32:07 AM

If you read the story then you know the reasons. Nothing has changed since I wrote that story last week.

Haven't talked to him since he was here and really haven't followed the state of the Oregon State program save for what I see on Twitter. Obviously, it is a stunner to see anyone walk away from that much coin but I'm guessing he could retire today and kick back in Logan, Utah. It's a quiet town and you can live well there modestly. And he has a gorgeous house overlooking the mountains. Guessing he'll surface again after some time away, perhaps as an assistant. But that's just a guess as I haven't spoken to him or with those close to him since 2014.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:36:06 AM

Defense does not seem as good as last couple of years at least in the first half of games. What do you think the difference is?

by Dave DSM10/10/2017 12:36:12 AM

Well, they did lose a couple studs at OLB and Cichy and Obasih. Despite all that they're still ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring D, run D, total D and in top 15 of interceptions.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:37:09 AM

Hi Jeff - This may be more of a football question in general rather than one specific to the Badgers but here goes... I've heard that Coach Chryst and his staff are excellent at making halftime adjustments. My question is, what adjustments are made at halftime that can't be made during the course of play in a game? Thanks!

by Steve10/10/2017 12:37:16 AM

More than anything you have much more time at halftime.

You can come off the field and be on the sideline for a minute or less if you have a turnover or a quick score. And as players note, some defenders may be on special teams so they aren't always immediately available to partake in sideline cram sessions.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:38:31 AM

Do you think Hornibrook has the goods to lead them to being Big Ten champs and to a National Championship?

by Ralph10/10/2017 12:38:50 AM

I don't know yet if this TEAM has the goods to win a national title. Big Ten? Very good shot.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:39:13 AM

Hi Jeff, Big fan of your work. Couldn’t believe our 3rd string left guard is a 6’6, 337 pound mauler. Could he win the starting job if he plays like he did Saturday? Thanks

by Dave10/10/2017 12:39:22 AM

They really like Dietzen -- when he is healthy. He just continues to be plagued by physical issues. Erdmann did a nice job filling in for one half and one series but let's see how he does over more than that. I do know when I asked about him during camp they thought he had potential.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:40:42 AM

Any chance Obasih gets a redshirt year?

by TXBadger10/10/2017 12:40:49 AM

His goal is to come back and play. And since he took a voluntary RS year in 2013 I'd say the odds are slimmer than slim.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:41:48 AM

I have two questions about technology and the Badgers. First, I know that 6 or 7 NFL teams are using virtual reality technology to allow their quarterbacks to get extra mental reps based on practice tapes. Is VR something that the Badgers have considered or are considering? I assume it is quite expensive and complicated. Second, have the Badgers tried or considered using the new Zero1 helmets from VICIS? The concept of a flexible, shock-absorbing outer shell sounds very intriguing to me and again I know that some in the NFL are using the helmet. On the other hand, I know the helmets are very expensive, and they may not be worth it. Thanks, Dale

by Dale in Darlington10/10/2017 12:54:47 AM

That is a lot of cash. They have spent $ in other areas but it's going to take some big donor $$$ for that.

by Jeff Potrykus10/10/2017 12:55:35 AM

Cornerback play looked good at times and then we saw some miscues. Has Leonard mentioned anything in this area?

by Trenton10/10/2017 12:55:37 AM

He has in previous games. But we don't get assistants on the day of a game and we get coordinators on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Rudolph first, then Leonhard.